---
title: "Configuring your Starbound server"
description: "Edit vital starbound_server.config settings, manage allowAnonymousConnections, complete account setups, and secure RCON access."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/starbound/configuration-overview/"
category: "Starbound"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/starbound/"
published: "2026-07-03T00:15:02.613Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T20:33:27.061Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Configuring your Starbound server

The main config is `storage/starbound_server.config`, a JSON file. This guide covers the key settings, account modes, and RCON.

## Key Settings

```json title="storage/starbound_server.config"
{
  "allowAdminCommands" : true,
  "allowAdminCommandsFromAnyone" : false,
  "allowAnonymousConnections" : true,
  "anonymousConnectionsAreAdmin" : false,
  "gameServerPort" : 21025,
  "maxPlayers" : 8,
  "runRconServer" : false,
  "rconServerPort" : 21026,
  "rconServerPassword" : "",
  "safeScripts" : true,
  "serverName" : "A Starbound Server",
  "serverUsers" : {
    "admin" : { "admin" : true, "password" : "CHANGE_ME" }
  }
}
```

> [!IMPORTANT] `gameServerPort` is the panel's to set
> 21025 is Starbound's stock port and yours will almost certainly be a different number. The value in this file tracks the allocation shown on the **Network** tab of [your Starbound game server](/games/starbound-server-hosting/); changing it by hand just moves the server to a port that was never opened for it. [How to use your server panel](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-use-your-server-panel/) covers where to find the tab.

| Setting | Notes |
|---------|-------|
| serverName | Browser name (when broadcast to the public list) |
| maxPlayers | Slot cap |
| gameServerPort | Panel-allocated. Stock is 21025; your number is on the Network tab |
| allowAnonymousConnections | False means accounts are required to log in |
| serverUsers | Account list with a per-user admin flag |
| runRconServer | Enable RCON |
| safeScripts | Restricts mod scripts; turn off only for trusted mod stacks |

Restart after editing.

## Accounts vs Anonymous Connections

**Anonymous**: anyone with the IP and optional password joins, no account. Most public servers use this.

**Account-based**: set `allowAnonymousConnections` to false and define users:

```json
"serverUsers": {
  "alice": { "admin": true, "password": "alicepw" },
  "bob": { "admin": false, "password": "bobpw" }
}
```

> [!NOTE] Players are prompted for a username and password on connect
> Common for private friend servers.

## RCON

```json
"runRconServer": true,
"rconServerPort": 21026,
"rconServerPassword": "STRONG_PASSWORD"
```

Starbound plans ship with a single port allocation, so `rconServerPort` cannot simply be the 21026 shown here — RCON needs an allocation of its own before anything will answer on it. Add one from the **Network** tab if your plan has a spare, or open a ticket, and use that number.

Restart, then connect with any Source-style RCON tool.

## What to Read Next

- [Admin and Commands](/knowledge-base/starbound/admins-and-commands/) for in-game admin usage
- [Maintaining your Starbound server](/knowledge-base/starbound/maintaining-your-server/) for universe resets and backups

---

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